Madison Park

Larceny From Autos

City Wide Problem

Hi All,

This email came from a Sergeant in the University City Division. They are experiencing the same problems we are!



Recent trends in Larcenies from Auto in Mecklenburg, Iredell and Cabarrus counties have shown suspects are targeting door locks on many vehicles, especially Ford trucks and SUVs. Suspects are targeting parking lots at gyms and restaurants typically from 3pm-7pm and from midnight to 6am when people leave work and don’t immediately travel home. The hotels are being targeted around the clock. Suspects are looking for laptop computers, IPods, GPS Systems and other electronics. Suspects are traveling 3 or 4 to a car; the driver usually remains in the vehicle while two get out as lookouts and the other commits the B/E. The suspects in some cases are popping the locks with an unknown device. If you see any suspicious vehicles circling your lots or streets please get a detail description and if possible a license tag number and call 911 immediately!



If you have any questions please feel free to contact us!! I am including a crime prevention pages about securing your vehicles. Please share them!



Thank you,



Sergeant Freda G. Lester

Westover Division

Community Police Supervisor

1540 West Blvd

Charlotte, NC 28208

(704) 432-2448

Larceny from Auto Tips

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department would like your help!

Don’t allow someone to remove your valuables from the inside of your vehicle.

Please consider the following tips to prevent YOU from becoming a victim.

• Always lock your doors and roll up your windows

• Never leave valuable items in your vehicle

• Store packages in the trunk of your vehicle while shopping

• Remove items such as telephones, ipods, purses, briefcase, backpack, cash, GPS and even loose change each time you leave your vehicle.

• Park in well lit areas at night

• Park vehicle in the driveway rather than the street (NOT IN YOUR FRONT YARD)

• Consider a car alarm for added protection

• Call 911 if you see any suspicious activity

ENCOURAGE YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND CO-WORKERS TO KEEP VALUABLES OUT OF THEIR VEHICLES AT HOME, WORK OR WHILE RUNNING ERRANDS.

Prevention Tips

Prevention Tips
• Always lock your car and close your windows
• Never leave your car unattended with the engine running
• Do not hide spare keys in or under the vehicle. They can be found.
• Secure your vehicle tag with one-way screws
• Invest in an alarm system or theft deterrent device
• Have your VIN etched on all the windows of the car
• Do not leave valuables in plain view
• Never leave registration/insurance card in the vehicle
Parking Tips
• Park in a secured well lighted area
• If parking in the street, park with wheels turned sharply toward the curb
• Avoid leaving your vehicle in public parking lots for an extended periods of time
• Always use your emergency break and leave the transmission in park, manual transmission should be left in gear
• If your vehicle is front-wheel drive pull forward into your driveway, if it is rear wheel drive back into your driveway